Steven Spielberg

Guru

Atari’s “E.T.” fiasco notwithstanding, Spielberg has been extremely savvy about the gaming market, licensing tie-ins to such films as “Raiders of the Lost Ark” long before the medium was fashionable.

But the director’s involvement in the sector extends well beyond adapting hit movies. As head of DreamWorks Interactive, he brought his narrative sensibilities to game development, aiming to create experiences “that tell you stories and involve you emotionally in the characters,” according to an interview with USA Today (it was Spielberg who hatched the successful “Medal of Honor” franchise).

After Electronic Arts bought the company, Spielberg struck a deal to create three distinct franchise properties. First up is “Boom Blox,” a kid-friendly puzzle game custom-tailored for Wii’s motion-sensitive interface. Though not an instant hit, the title was released to strong reviews in May.